Spin-orbit evolution of close-in exoplanets

• Grant number: 12/13731-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy
• Principal Investigator: Tatiana Alexandrovna Michtchenko
• Grantee: Adrian Rodriguez Colucci
• Supervisor: Alexandre Carlos Morgado Correia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Aveiro (UA), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 09/16900-5 - Dynamical evolution of planetary systems with dissipation, BP.PD

Abstract

The aim of this project is to investigate the coupled spin-orbit evolution of close-in planets due to dissipative forces and mutual interactions. Particularly, we will analyze the trapping in a rotation state in which the orbital period is an integer or half-integer of the rotation period, a state known as spin-orbit resonance (SOR). The occurrence of SORs is provided by the presence of two torques acting on the planet rotation; one of them appears due to the permanent deformation of the body (equatorial ellipticity) and the other one is the tidal torque (due to internal dissipation). We will consider multiple-planet systems, with emphasis in those containing a close-in super-Earth (i.e., planets having masses between 1 e 10 Earth masses and orbital periods of a few days) with an outer companion. We will compute the variations of the orbital elements and the dynamical consequences on the rotations of the interacting bodies. In the framework of the general three body problem, the analysis will be done through the averaged equations of the spin-orbit problem. The obtained results will be compared with the numerical simulation of the exact equations of motion. Applications will be focused in systems containing super-Earth in the habitable zone. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CORREIA, ALEXANDRE C. M.; BOUEE, GWENACL; LASKAR, JACQUES; RODRIEGUEZ, ADRIAN. Deformation and tidal evolution of close-in planets and satellites using a Maxwell viscoelastic rheology. Astronomy & Astrophysics, v. 571, NOV 2014. (12/13731-0, 09/16900-5)

CORREIA, ALEXANDRE C. M.; RODRIGUEZ, ADRIAN. ON THE EQUILIBRIUM FIGURE OF CLOSE-IN PLANETS AND SATELLITES. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v. 767, n. 2, APR 20 2013. (12/13731-0, 09/16900-5)